Page 56 of Wish You Were Mine

My phone buzzed, and I checked it. “Oh, my God.”

“What?” Bailey demanded.

I looked up at her, my eyes wide. “Grace has gone into labor.”

At 11.13 am the next day, Grace and Nate welcomed baby Finn into the world while the entire Braddock clan, including Grace’s Aunt Desdemona and brother, Ezra, filled the waiting room at the Queenstown Maternity Hospital.

We’d been waiting all morning, after having spent the night at a nearby hotel, and finally, a nurse announced that Finn had been delivered and both he and Grace were safe and healthy.

I slumped against Kennedy, weak with relief. I’d known, logically, that there was no reason to think the birth wouldn’t be smooth, but I’d also been involved with plenty of difficult births at the veterinary clinic, and I’d seen how quickly things could go sideways.

“Would Nana, Grandpa, and Big Sister like to come through?” she asked.

Mum hesitated. “Is Grace feeling up to visitors?”

The nurse smiled kindly. “Yes, but only a couple at a time. Dad was very firm on that.”

I laughed. “I bet he was.”

Nate took overprotectiveness to the extreme when it came to Grace. Of course, I could understand why. If I’d discovered someone I loved bleeding out on their kitchen floor, I’d probably be overprotective too.

Mum held Tess’s hand, and Dad took up the rear as they followed the nurse out of the waiting room. I got up, stretched, and bought a packet of nuts from the vending machine, then returned to the chair and scrolled through social media.

A while later, Mum and Dad emerged, both grinning widely. Dad’s eyes crinkled with joy, which took years off him, and Mum was practically floating on air. They both loved babies. I mean, they’d had six of their own, and that pretty much said it all.

“He’s beautiful.” Mum sighed. “He has Nate’s eyes, and Grace’s dark hair.”

“How heavy?” Max asked.

“Seven pounds, two ounces,” Mum said.

Max nodded approvingly. “A decent weight.”

“Can we see them?” Toby asked, bouncing excitedly.

Mum and Dad exchanged a glance.

“Two at a time,” Dad said firmly. “Any more than that and you’ll overwhelm them. Poor Grace is exhausted, but she’s hiding it well and does want to see you all.”

It didn’t surprise me that Grace would be doing her best not to let on how tired she was. She was an expert at putting on a good face.

“Why don’t Summer and I go?” Max suggested.

No one argued, although Toby looked disappointed. But Max was Nate’s twin, and he’d always been close to Grace, so it made sense for him to be the next to visit. I wasn’t sure why he’d chosen me to accompany him, but I was eager to see them, so I wouldn’t question it.

We walked down the hall together, Max’s shoes clopping on the vinyl floor. I nudged him with my shoulder.

“It’ll be your turn for a wife and baby soon,” I said.

His expression was wistful. “I’d like that, but I haven’t had much luck at dating.”

“You’ll find the perfect woman.”I considered whether to drop a hint about Bailey but decided not to. She’d asked me not to meddle, and while I desperately wanted to just in case it could make two of my favorite people happy, I respected her wishes. After all, I knew how mortified I’d be if someone did that with Asher.

“Maybe.” He sounded resigned, and I itched to hug him, but at that moment, we arrived at Grace’s room.

Max knocked and we entered. Grace lay on a surprisingly large bed, her eyes half-closed. Tess sat cross-legged near her feet, and Nate lounged on an armchair, the baby cradled against his chest.

“Hey,” I said softly. “How are you doing?”

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